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Ljungberg Set For MLS Debut Saturday
Former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg is ready to make his Seattle Sounders FC debut this Saturday as the expansion team hosts Real Salt Lake.
Mar 24, 2009 11:38:18 PM
Seattle Sounders FC's designated player Freddie Ljungberg should be fit to make his Major League Soccer debut this weekend. Ljungberg underwent hip surgery in the offseason, but joined full practices this week, and should be prepared for a role off the bench.
"I think we are going to try to play on the weekend; I think that's the plan," Ljungberg told mlsnet.com. "How much it will be -- that's a different question. We will play a little bit and see how it feels in a match situation.
"I don't think I will start because we want to make sure it feels right. Maybe I'll play a shorter time; we will see this week how I feel. So far this week, it feels good."
Seattle host Real Salt Lake on Saturday for the team's second ever MLS game. Ljungberg sat the opening game of the season against the New York Red Bulls, but his team ran out 3-0 winners without him.
"We'll see now how he feels going into Wednesday-Thursday," said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid. "For us, this is the weekend that he should be able to be in our 18 and then the minutes depend on how the game goes."
Ljungberg hasn't played a competitive match since June of last year, so any contribution he gives Saturday would be considered a bonus. However, the Swede is looking to live up to his designated player tag and affect matches.
"The coach wants me to have the ball a lot and control the game a lot, so that's probably how it will be," Ljungberg said.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
"I think we are going to try to play on the weekend; I think that's the plan," Ljungberg told mlsnet.com. "How much it will be -- that's a different question. We will play a little bit and see how it feels in a match situation.
"I don't think I will start because we want to make sure it feels right. Maybe I'll play a shorter time; we will see this week how I feel. So far this week, it feels good."
Seattle host Real Salt Lake on Saturday for the team's second ever MLS game. Ljungberg sat the opening game of the season against the New York Red Bulls, but his team ran out 3-0 winners without him.
"We'll see now how he feels going into Wednesday-Thursday," said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid. "For us, this is the weekend that he should be able to be in our 18 and then the minutes depend on how the game goes."
Ljungberg hasn't played a competitive match since June of last year, so any contribution he gives Saturday would be considered a bonus. However, the Swede is looking to live up to his designated player tag and affect matches.
"The coach wants me to have the ball a lot and control the game a lot, so that's probably how it will be," Ljungberg said.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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